What to read when starting the study of philosophy?

We’ve raised this question before, but recently a new batch of students were (was? Was the batch asking, or were the students?) asking Kleiner and me about what books should be read by students just starting to study philosophy. What recommendations do you have?

2 thoughts on “What to read when starting the study of philosophy?”

The book I always recommend is Will Durant’s “The Story of Philosophy”. It’s a clean, decent overview of the biggest names and ideas. After reading that, and gaining some orientation, you’ll have a decent idea of what primary works (by Plato, Spinoza, Marx, etc.) will turn you on.

Meta

PHILOSOPHY BOWLING RESULTS

(Explanation: some years ago we went bowling, divided into teams, and used the results to answer timeless philosophical questions. The results are as follows.)
• Is the world eternal? YES
• Do humans have contra-causal free will (i.e., can humans do otherwise)? NO
• Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? YES
• Do humans have souls? YES
• Are there natural rights? YES
• Is it morally permissible to eat meat? NO
• Is the unexamined life worth living? NO
• Is truth subjectivity? YES
• Is virtue necessary for happiness? YES
• Can a computer have a mind? YES
• Can humans know reality as it is in itself? YES
• Is hell other people? YES
• Can art be created accidentally? NO
• Can we change the past? NO
• Are numbers real? NO
• Is it always better to know the truth? YES